2009 IndyCar Series By The Numbers

17 – races

2 – races in Canada

1 – race in Japan

10 – races on ovals

7 – races on road/street courses

5 – races under the lights

4 – IndyCar Series champions competing this season

3 – bonus points available in each race (one for pole; two for leading most laps)

14- teams that participated in the Open Test at Homestead-Miami Speedway

21- cars that participated in the Open Test at Homestead-Miami Speedway

4 – rookies who tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway

800 – miles a one-car team may test during 2009

53 – days of on-track activity scheduled .

2,549 – miles between St. Petersburg and Long Beach, the longest distance between consecutive
race venues (not including Japan)

210 – miles between Kentucky Speedway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the shortest distance
between consecutive race venues

6,400 – air miles between Indianapolis and Tokyo

130 – hours of programming on VERSUS

IndyCar Series Racing: It’s Unpredictable

Not only was the 2008 season historic with the unification of open-wheel racing under the IndyCar Series banner, it was unpredictable. With an average of 26 entries per race outside of the traditional 33 at Indianapolis and a variety of drivers from diverse racing backgrounds, the competition was fierce and excitement level high throughout the course of six months, including:

* Five first-time winners (Rahal, Patrick, Briscoe, Hunter-Reay, Wilson)
* First rookie winners since 2006 (Rahal, St. Pete; Wilson, Belle Isle)
* Youngest winner in IndyCar Series history (Rahal, St. Pete)
* First female to win an IndyCar Series race (Patrick, Motegi)
* Youngest pole sitter in IndyCar Series history (Andretti, Milwaukee)
* Youngest front row in IndyCar Series history (Andretti-Rahal, Milwaukee)
* First Andretti-Rahal front row since 1992 (Milwaukee)
* First female IndyCar Series owner/driver (Fisher)
* 1,000th race start for the Andretti name (Milwaukee)
* Most laps lead in a season (899, Dixon)
* Most second-place finishes in a season (8, Castroneves)
* Return of Rahal Letterman Racing to victory lane after three- year absence (Watkins Glen)
* Another championship that came down to the final race
* The return of 2007 champion Dario Franchitti after a brief stint in NASCAR

With momentum and excitement from an unbelievable 2008, what will the new season of IndyCar Series competition bring?